Preparation of gelatin hydrogel sponges incorporating bioactive glasses capable for the controlled release of fibroblast growth factor-2.

Gelatin hydrogel sponges incorporating bioactive glasses (Gel-BG) were fabricated. We evaluated the characteristics of Gel-BG as scaffolds from the perspective of their mechanical properties and the formation of hydroxyapatite by the incorporation of bioactive glasses (BG). In addition, the Gel-BG degradation and the profile of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) release from the Gel-BG were examined. Every Gel-BG showed an interconnected pore structure with the pore size range of 180-200 µm. The compression modulus of sponges incorporating BG increased. The time profiles of degradation for the 72-h crosslinked gelatin hydrogel sponges incorporating 10 wt% BG (Gel-BG(10)) and 50 wt% BG (Gel-BG(50)) were analogous to that of the 24-h crosslinked gelatin hydrogel sponge without BG (Gel-BG(0)). In measuring the release of FGF-2 from Gel-BG, the Gel-BG(10) and Gel-BG(50) showed almost analogous 100% cumulative release within 28 days in vivo. Additionally, a bioactivity evaluation showed that the presence of gelatin does not affect the in vitro bioactivity of Gel-BG. These sponges showed mechanical and chemical functionality as scaffolds, featuring both the controlled release of FGF-2 and the induction of hydroxyapatite crystallization.